A taxi driver accused of offering a young woman a free lift home then grabbing her breasts and crotch says he doesn't recognise his accuser.

Florian Scripcea, 39, denies attacking the 18-year-old in the front seat of his Fiat Scudo.

The jury was told by prosecutors how Scripcea, of Hawkers Lane, Peverell, had touched her breasts before moving his hand down to her crotch, and then pulling her hand on to his crotch during the 15-minute journey which took place on Saturday, October 30, last year.

Taking to the stand at Plymouth Crown Court, he denied picking up the 18-year-old at a bus stop near the Lidl store in Union Street at about 2am, after the clocks had gone back, reports plymouthherald .

However, he did admit a woman approached his silver-coloured Hackney cab around the same time.

The jury heard Scripcea explain how he was married with two sons aged 10 and two, and had come to the UK from Romania in 2010, bringing his family over with him shortly after beginning work as a taxi driver.

He revealed that since the alleged incident his taxi licence has not been renewed by Plymouth City Council and he had sold his vehicle.

He is now caring for his youngest son while his wife goes out to work.

Answering questions put to him by his barrister Ali Rafati, he answered in a softly-spoken voice that he did not recognise the young woman who gave evidence against him.

However, he said he did remember picking up an older woman aged “between 30 and 40”.

He said she had “maybe grey” hair.

He initially said he did not give free rides out of kindness, as Mr Rafati put to him.

Read More

However, he went on to admit he had been approached by this older woman on the night, which he said was “very busy” due to it being the Saturday before Halloween.

During a slow exchange of questions and answers with his own barristers, Scripcea revealed he had a conversation with the woman “about breast feeding”. He said the topic had come up when she was at his passenger door window when he made remarks about her breasts.

Mr Rafati asked: “Saying what? Something about them being big?

“Yes”

“You said 'you have big breasts'?”

“I believe so”.

“How did she respond?”

Scripcea said: “She asked me if I liked them.”

Scripcea said the woman explained she did not have enough money and wanted a lift.